The U.S. EPA has finalized changes to Clean Air Act standards for boilers and certain incinerators, which it reported will lessen particle control requirements for biomass units and lower compliance costs.READ MORESHARE

Lux Research has published top-10 lists of 2012's top emerging technology companies, as well as emerging companies to watch in 2013. Biorefining companies, including Solazyme, Itaconix and Beta Renewables, top this year's listsREAD MORESHARE

The Biomass Thermal Energy Council has named its Biomass Thermal Champion of 2012, and the award goes to Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., for her leadership on advocating for the inclusion and parity of biomass thermal energy in federal programs. READ MORESHARE

The City of Ottawa has signed an agreement with Plasco Energy Group Inc. to supply 109,500 metric tons of municipal solid waste per year to the company for use in a waste conversion facility. Plasco will begin construction on the facility in 2013. READ MORESHARE

Under contract with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Harris Group has completed a comprehensive review of biomass gasifier technologies, titled "Biomass Gasification Technology Assessment."READ MORESHARE

The fiscal year 2013 National Defense Authorization Act is one step closer to becoming law. The Armed Services Committees of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate announced completion of conference reports for the legislation Dec. 18. READ MORESHARE

The U.K. Department of Energy & Climate Change has announced a 400 MW non-legislative cap on the total new build dedicated biomass generating capacity that can expect to be supported at 1.5 Renewable Obligation Certificates per MWh.READ MORESHARE

On Dec. 17, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit dismissed a lawsuit filed by the American Petroleum Institute against the U.S. EPA challenging the 2011 cellulosic requirements of renewable fuels standard. READ MORESHARE

Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber believes energy is the issue of our time, and to address the issue, he has released a 10-year Energy Action Plan. The 48-page plan includes a recommendation section on bioenergy and biomass-based thermal energy development.READ MORESHARE

The Sequoia Foundation has released an independent health impact assessment (HIA) for the proposed 2 MW Cabin Creek Biomass Energy Facility near Lake Tahoe, Calif. The county will consider the plant's minor use permit on Dec. 20.READ MORESHARE

With new funding in hand, Proterro Inc. is poised to take its sucrose-producing process to the pilot stage, using full scale-bioreactors. The company expects the process can produce fermentation-ready sugar at a cost of less than 5 cents per pound. READ MORESHARE

Drax Biomass International Inc. a development and operating company focused on manufacturing wood pellets for renewable, low-carbon power generation from sustainable biomass, has announced its plans for three projects in the Gulf region.READ MORESHARE